If Millbank residents are low on milk or bread, there's only one place in town to go, the Super Grocery Mart. However, Millbank residents are out of luck if they run out of the essentials between the hours of 1:00 am and 2:00 am; that's the one hour a day when the supermarket is closed.

"We really need that time to clean up the deli and mop up the cereal aisle," explains Jim Bowland, owner and manager of the Super Grocery Mart. His wife, Fran Bowland, who has been a checker at the mart for the past 17 years, agrees. "I don't know what it is about that cereal aisle, but people just turn into monkeys as soon as they see the Lucky Charms. Pink hearts, yellow moons, green clovers EVERYWHERE."

Mr. Bowland continues, "We want the Super Grocery Mart to provide the best customer service and high quality groceries for our community, so we tried to find a time when most people are asleep and requiring few groceries. We are more than happy to serve customers 23 hours a day."

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, some have noted that between 1:00 and 2:00 am is peak time for grocery-related emergencies. Says local resident Mandy Mills, "I was making ten different cakes for my son Ranger's 10th birthday, and you know how those all-night baking sessions go. I ran out of vanilla extract at 1:13 a.m., and the market was closed for 47 more minutes!"

When questioned, Mrs. Mills verified that she did finish baking all ten cakes before her son's party. "But it was close! One of the cakes that year was shaped like a rocket launcher. I was so proud."

Lorne Pfeffernus, of the law firm Dale, Dale and Pfeffernus, had his own grocery emergency. "I really really wanted some spray cheese at 2:00 am. I walked over right from Adolf's, and the store didn't open until 2:03 am. I could have died from aerosol-dairy withdrawal seizures. If it happens again, I will totally sue."

Despite the threats of legal action, Mr. Bowland is remaining firm on his pledge to be open 23 hours a day. "I already drink about 3 and a half pots of coffee a day. I think that last hour might send me over the edge."

Super Grocery Mart is open from 2:00 am to 1:00 am, Sunday-Saturday, and is located at 756 Divan Street. Shopping carts are available for patrons. Check out the weekly savings in the Super Grocery Mart Super Saver insert in Wednesday's Millbank Daily-Weekly.